Stroller

ABSTRACT

A stroller has a collapsible frame structure with a pair of laterally spaced apart rear legs each with a lower end. The frame structure is collapsible in vertical, horizontal, and side-to-side lateral directions from an in-use arrangement to a compact arrangement. The stroller has a seat supported by the frame structure and the seat has a seat bottom. A storage area is beneath the seat bottom when the stroller is in the in-use arrangement. An access opening into the storage area when the stroller is in the in-use arrangement is bounded by the seat bottom, the rear legs, and a lower boundary. A frame cross-brace is connected to the rear legs when the stroller is in the in-use arrangement. The entire cross-brace is positionable vertically at or below the lower boundary of the access opening.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This patent claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/645,047, which was filed on Jan. 21, 2005. Theentire disclosure of the provisional application is hereby incorporatedby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present invention is for a stroller, and more particularly to acollapsible stroller that can be reconfigured between a collapsedconfiguration when not in use and an in-use expanded configuration foruse.

2. Description of Related Art

Collapsible strollers are known in the art. Many strollers fold intwo-dimensions in that they can collapse vertically and horizontallyforward and rearward. There are also strollers available that fold inthree-dimensions. Such strollers also fold vertically and horizontallyfore and aft, but additionally fold horizontally side-to-side. There areproblems, design deficiencies, and limitations associated with bothtypes of strollers.

A three-dimensional stroller typically has a scissor-like cross-bracestructure extending between rear legs of the stroller for stability. Thecross-brace structure typically includes at least two, and sometimesmore, components connected to the rear legs and pivotally joined to oneanother between the rear legs to form an X-shaped structure. Thestructure collapses in a scissor-like fashion. These types ofcross-brace structures inhibit access to the area beneath the seat ofthe stroller. The X-shaped brace reduces storage space beneath the seat,making it difficult for a user to fully utilize the storage space underthe seat. Further, such a prohibitive cross-brace structure reduces theoverall utility and functionality of the three-dimensional strollers.

A typical three-dimensional collapsible stroller requires a number ofdistinct user actions to facilitate reconfiguring the stroller from theset-up or expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration. A usertypically must independently release one or two cross-braces supportingthe stroller in the set-up configuration. The user then must alsoindependently release two latches, one on each side of the strollerframe structure in order to facilitate horizontal and verticalcollapsing. The result is that a user must coordinate three, and oftenfour, different maneuvers in order to collapse their three-dimensionalstroller.

Most strollers incorporate rear wheel brakes for safety purposes.Two-dimensional strollers are known that incorporate a solid cross-barinterconnecting the rear wheels on either side of the stroller. Theopposed ends of the bar are known to incorporate devices that can eitherlock or release a brake at each rear wheel. The brakes can often be setor released using a single foot lever or paddle provided on the bar.Three-dimensionally collapsible strollers do not incorporate a solidcross-bar extending between the rear wheels of the stroller. Otherwise,the stroller could not collapse from side-to-side. A typicalthree-dimensionally collapsible stroller instead incorporates the use oftwo separate brake levers, one on each rear wheel, which can be actuatedby separate split-bar brake links or linear actuator cables to engageand disengage the brakes at each wheel.

Strollers currently available on the market employ a variety ofdifferent types of handles or grips that are held by a user to push andmanipulate the stroller. Cross-bar type handles are well known.Umbrella-type single grip handles are also known. Many strollers offerno handle position adjustment. A number of strollers do offer handleadjustment but most of these offer adjustment in only a singledirection, whether it be tilt, fore and aft, or rotational adjustment(for umbrella-type handles). Where a stroller does offer multi-directionhandle adjustment, adjustment is typically performed utilizing adifferent actuation sequence for each adjustment direction.

A typical three-dimensionally collapsible stroller does not offerintegrated cup holders for an adult standing behind and pushing thestroller. These types of stroller may offer an add-on cup holder thatmust be removed when the stroller is collapsed and that must be clipped,snapped, or otherwise attached to the stroller when desired. This isbecause cup holders are usually integrated in a solid tray spanningbetween the rear legs near the handle of a two-dimensional collapsiblestroller. In a three-dimensionally collapsible stroller, no such rigidtray can be incorporated unless it can be entirely removed when thestroller is to be collapsed. Any structure extending between the twosides of a three-dimensionally collapsible stroller must be capable ofcollapsing.

When a stroller is collapsed, a user often wishes to either stand thestroller up on one end either to limit the amount of floor space thestroller takes up when not in use, or to stow the stroller out of theway in a small space behind other objects. Many strollers do not easilystand on end when in a collapsed configuration. This is because parts ofthe collapsed stroller on either end do not properly align in order toprovide a level, stable base to support the stroller in a standingorientation. Some strollers when collapsed are known to be able to standon one set of wheels and on a front edge of the child's tray. Over time,the tray can become scuffed and damaged when used in such a manner. Thescuffs and scratches can collect dirt, which can be unsanitary for achild using the tray, and can simply become visually unpleasant inappearance.

Strollers that compact in three-dimensions typically do not come in afull-size or full-featured stroller product. This is because thestrength requirements and complexity necessary for such a stroller willlimit the stability of the frame structure and the overall usefulcharacteristics and functionality of its features, including basketaccess as described above. Another problem with strollers that fold inthree-dimensions is that they typically have a large vertical dimensionwhen folded. If such a stroller compacts vertically, it typically wouldhave a large dimension in one of the other folded directions. Oneproblem with conventional strollers that fold in three-dimensions isthat the rear wheels are typically offered in four wheel setsincorporating two rear wheels on each side of the stroller. The rearwheels typically do not fold or reposition when the stroller iscollapsed. Thus, the stroller height when folded does not compact inthis area of the stroller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a stroller in an in-useconfiguration and constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the stroller of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the stroller of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the stroller of FIG. 1 in a collapsedconfiguration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the collapsed stroller of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the collapsed stroller of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a handle assembly and part of the framestructure of the stroller of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross section and partial cut-away view of thehandle assembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a stem core of the handle of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the stem core of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a grip body of the handle of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a cross section of the handle assembly and taken along line12-12 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is the cross section of FIG. 12 but with the handle actuatordepressed.

FIG. 14 is the cross section of FIG. 12 but with the handle extended onthe frame structure to a different position.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a rear wheel and rear leg subassemblyof the stroller of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged view from underneath one of the rear wheelassemblies shown in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a cross section of a rear wheel assembly and taken along line17-17 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a rear wheel of the strollersubassembly of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a portion of the subassembly of FIG. 15 but with the rearlegs and wheels removed.

FIG. 20 is a cross section of the rear wheel cross-brace hub and takenalong line 20-20 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a cut away perspective view of the rear wheel cross-brace hubof FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the foot paddle of the brake system ofFIG. 19.

FIG. 23 is a cross section view of the foot paddle and one brake linktaken along line 23-23 of FIG. 19.

FIG. 24 is a cross section of part of the rear wheel and leg subassemblyand taken along line 24-24 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 25 is a view of one half of the cross-brace assembly and rear wheelsuspension of the subassembly of FIG. 15.

FIG. 26 is a cross section of the rear wheel suspension and taken alongline 26-26 of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of one of the cross-bracesections of the subassembly of FIG. 15.

FIGS. 28 and 29 are perspective view from different orientations of theupper cross-brace of the stroller of FIG. 1.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the cross-brace of FIG. 28 with partsremoved for clearer understanding of internal components.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the handle assembly of the cross-braceof FIG. 28 with parts removed for clearer understanding of the internalcomponents.

FIG. 32 is a cross section of one cup holder ring and puck and takenalong line 32-32 of FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is a cross-section of the handle assembly and taken along line33-33 of FIG. 30.

FIGS. 34 and 35 are schematic views of the handle assembly of thecross-brace of FIG. 28 and showing movement of the internal components.

FIG. 36 is a perspective top view of the child's tray of the stroller ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 37 is a perspective bottom view of the child's tray of FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is an enlarged view of one end of the child's tray of FIG. 36and being inserted into a part of the stroller of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 39 and 40 are perspective views of a finger of a latchingmechanism of the child's tray of FIG. 36.

FIG. 41 is a cross section of one support arm of the child's tray andtaken along line 41-41 of FIG. 36.

FIG. 42 is a cross section of the child's tray and taken along line42-32 of FIG. 36.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of one front wheel and suspension assemblyof the stroller of FIG. 1.

FIG. 44 is a front view of the front wheel assembly of FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is a rear view of the front wheel assembly of FIG. 43.

FIG. 46 is a cross section of a front wheel assembly and taken alongline 46-46 of FIG. 44.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a front wheel assembly, a rear leg, anda handle portion of the frame assembly of the stroller of FIG. 1.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of a joint assembly of one side of theframe of the stroller of FIG. 1.

FIG. 49 is a cross section of part of the joint assembly and taken alongline 49-49 of FIG. 47.

FIG. 50 is a cross section of part of the joint assembly and taken alongline 50-50 of FIG. 47.

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of a latch lever of the joint assembly ofstroller frame portion of FIGS. 47 and 48.

FIG. 52 is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of athree-dimensionally foldable stroller.

FIG. 53 is a side view of the stroller of FIG. 52 with a part of therear cross-brace structure pivoted out of the way of the under seatstorage space access.

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of a three-dimensionally collapsiblestroller with all soft goods removed.

FIG. 55 is a top view of the stroller of FIG. 54.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various features of the stroller examples described herein solve orimprove upon one or more of the above-noted problems, deficiencies, andlimitations of prior art strollers. In one example, a disclosed strollerthat folds in three dimensions has one brake actuator that can bemanipulated to lock and release the brake mechanisms on both rear wheelassemblies. In one example, a disclosed stroller can be collapsed andstood on one end both while providing a stable base for standing, andwhile not causing damage to visible, ordinarily useful portions of thestroller structure. In another example, a disclosed stroller includes ahandle that can be adjusted in more than one adjustment direction ormode using the same adjustment actuator. In yet another example, adisclosed stroller is collapsible in three dimensions and yet providesstorage space beneath the seat of the stroller with clear, unencumberedaccess to the storage space. In a further example, a disclosed strollercan be manipulated from the in-use or expanded configuration to thecollapsed configuration using only two, single hand single handedmaneuvers. In a still further example, a disclosed stroller iscollapsible in a side-to-side or width direction and yet integrates oneor more adult-use cup holders into a cross-brace of the frame structure.In a still further example, a disclosed stroller has front and rearsuspension components integrated into multi-function front and rearwheel assemblies. These and other features can be achieved in a strollerconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of oneexample of a stroller 100 constructed in accordance with the teachingsof the present invention. The soft goods are only shown in phantomherein, other than a loose, under-seat storage basket or pouch. The softgoods are removed in order to better illustrate all of the basicstructural and functional components of the stroller. FIG. 3 is a sideview of the stroller shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, all in an in-use expandedconfiguration. The stroller 100 generally has a frame assembly 102 witha pair of opposed and spaced apart frame sides 102 a and 102 b. A seat104 is supported above a ground surface between the frame sides. Theseat 104 in this example is formed of soft goods including padding andfabric material supported by various portions of the frame assembly 102.The typical seat 104 has a seat back 106 and a seat bottom 108. A bonnetor cover 110 is shown in phantom in an extended position covering aportion of the seat 104. The bonnet 110 can be optional and can beremovable or even reconfigurable to a collapsed condition against theseat back or a portion of the frame assembly, as is known.

The stroller 100 also incorporates one of many possible examples of astorage basket 112 or fabric pouch beneath the seat bottom 108. Thestorage basket 112 in this example is positioned in a storage area 113beneath the seat and is highly space efficient. The disclosed basket 112has a soft fabric perimeter sidewall 114 extending upward from a bottom116. The basket has a rear panel 117 that can be selectively raised orlowered and fastened or unfastened to portions of the stroller. As willbe evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the configurationof the storage basket 112 can vary considerably and yet fall within thespirit and scope of the present invention. The basket can be a simpledroopy pouch as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Alternatively, the basket caninclude a rigid horizontal storage surface or a semi-rigid articlesupport surface positioned well below the seat bottom 108. Such a basketcan also include upstanding side walls including a rear wall. The rearwall of such a basket can also be of a type that can be raised orlowered to either assist in retaining objects in the storage area orprovide clear access to the storage area to insert or remove largeobjects as needed.

In this disclosed example, the frame assembly 102 incorporates multipleparts that are movably interconnected with one another. The parts can bearranged and retained in the in-use or expanded configuration asdepicted in FIGS. 1-3. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the frame assembly 102 canbe reconfigured and folded to a collapsed condition for stowing orstorage. In the in-use configuration of FIGS. 1-3, the stroller 100 andits frame assembly 102 are supported by a pair of front wheel assemblies118 and a pair of rear wheel assemblies 119 in this example.

The remaining major parts of the overall structure of the frame assembly102 are described with reference to FIGS. 1-6. The frame sides 102 a and102 b are interconnected by a plurality of transversely orientedstructures. The frame sides in this example are oriented generallyvertically when viewed from the front or back and when in the in-useconfiguration. In this example, each frame side 102 a and 102 b isessentially identical.

The frame sides 102 a and 102 b have an overall X-shaped configurationwhen viewed from the side. The frame 102 is supported by a pair of frontwheel assemblies 118 and a pair of rear wheel assemblies 119. Each frontwheel assembly 118 is carried on a lower end 120 of a front leg 121 andeach rear wheel assembly 119 is carried on a lower end 122 of a rear leg123. The front legs 121 extend upward and rearward from the respectivefront wheel assemblies. The rear legs 123 extend upward and forward inthis example from the respective rear wheel assemblies 119.

The stroller 100 in this example also has a child's or occupant's tray124 that extends across the frame assembly 102 above the seat 108 andforward of the seat back 106. The tray 124 can be configured to providea surface or surfaces on which a child can place various types ofobjects. In this example, the tray 124 traverses the stroller betweenthe front legs 121. The stroller 100 in this example also has a pair of“umbrella” type handles 126. A user will typically grasp the handles,one in each hand, in order to push, pull, and otherwise manipulate thestroller during normal use. Each handle 126 extends rearward from a rearframe extension 128, one on each frame side 102 a and 102 b. A jointstructure 130 on each side of the stroller 100 joins and links the rearleg 123, front leg 121, and rear frame extension 128 of each frame side102 a and 102 b. The rear frame extensions 128 extend rearward andupward from the joint structures 130 on the frame sides. An upper end132 of the front leg 121 and an upper end 134 of the rear leg 123 extendup to the joint structures 130 on each frame side 102 a and 102 b in thedisclosed stroller.

A number of linking and traversing structures connect or support variousparts of the stroller. Many of these parts provide stability andrigidity to the overall stroller frame assembly, particularly duringnormal use when in the in-use configuration. The child's tray 124 can beconsidered one of the traversing structures because the tray will addstability to the overall stroller structure when fully installed andseated as described below. Another traversing structure is a seat bottomcross-member 136 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The cross-member 136 is anX-shaped structure with two links 138 pivotally joined at theirintersection. Front ends 139 of the cross-member links 138 are pivotallycoupled to the joint assemblies 130 at the front legs 121 on each sideof the stroller. Rear ends 140 of the cross-member links 138 arepivotally coupled to connectors 141 on the rear legs 123. Thecross-member 136 can fold or expand in a scissor-like manner toaccommodate the stroller configuration.

A further traversing structure supports the seat back 106 and can alsocollapse and expand as needed. The seat back is supported by a pair ofseat risers 142, one each pivotally linked at their respective bottomends to a part of each frame side 102 a and 102 b. The seat risersextend upward near but positioned behind and below the rear frameextensions 128. The risers 142 are linked to one another by a four linkstructure. Two lengthier links 143 pivotally connect to a respective oneof the risers 142, extend upward toward the opposite riser, andintersect one another at a pivot joint 144 between the risers. The upperend of each link 143 is pivotally connected at a second pivot 145 to ashorter link 146. Each shorter link then angles downward and pivotallyconnects to the adjacent riser 142. The link structure formed by thelinks 143 and 146 expands and collapses as the risers 142 move away andtoward one another as the stroller is set up or collapsed, respectively.The risers and links also add some stability and rigidity to the overallframe structure.

Yet another of the traversing structures is an upper cross-brace 150that extends between the rear frame extensions 128 near the handles 126.The upper cross-brace 150 is reconfigurable between a stiff conditionand a loose, collapsible condition as described below. When in the stiffcondition, the upper cross-brace 150 adds additional stability andrigidity to the overall frame assembly when in the in-use configuration.

A lower cross-brace 160 interconnects and extends between the lower ends122 of the rear legs 123 in this example. The lower cross-brace 160 hasa center hub 162 that allows the cross-brace to pivot and collapse in awidth or side-to-side direction. When in the in-use configuration asshown in FIGS. 1-3, the lower cross-brace adds significant rigidity andstability to the overall frame assembly 102.

One linking structure of the frame 102 includes a pair of seat sidelinks 164, one on each side 102 a and 102 b of the frame assembly 102.Each side link 164 supports a side of the seat bottom 108. A forward end165 of each link 164 is pivotally connected at a pivot 166 to the jointassembly 130. The pivot 166 in this example is aligned with a bottom orforward end of the respective rear frame extension 128. A rear end 167of each seat side link 164 is pivotally connected to a respective rearleg 123. The bottom ends 168 of the seat risers 142 pivotally connect tothe respective seat link 164 near to but forward of the rear leg to seatlink connection.

Another linking structure includes an armrest link 170 pivotally coupledat a pivot 171 to an armrest 172 that is part of each joint assembly 130on each frame side. The armrest links 172 each depend down and connectat a pivot 174 to a fixed link 176 that projects forward from each jointassembly 130. The pivots 174 for the fixed link to armrest linkconnections are positioned forward of the location of both the rearframe extensions and the front legs in the joint assemblies.

The stroller 100 disclosed herein collapses in three-dimensions. Inother words, the stroller can collapse in an up and down vertical heightdirection, a fore and aft horizontal length direction, and aside-to-side width direction. Herein, these collapsing directions arealso referred to synonymously with regard to reference planes. Ahorizontal reference plane refers to a vertical up and down collapsingdirection. A vertical transverse reference place refers to fore and aftcollapsibility. A vertical longitudinal reference place refers toside-to-side or width-wise collapsibility. The stroller 100 can becollapsed from the in-use or expanded condition shown in FIGS. 1-3 tothe collapsed condition shown in FIGS. 4-6. Various structure detailsand features of the disclosed strollers are first described.Subsequently, the specific structures, configurations, and methods thatpermit and facilitate collapsing the disclosed strollers are described.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-13, one example of a handle 126 is described,keeping in mind that the two handles 126 in this example are essentiallyidentical to one another. The handle 126 in this example is connected toa free end 178 of the respective rear extension 128 of the frameassembly 102. In this example, the rear extension 128 is a hollow,non-circular cylindrical tube with an interior 180 and a distal open end182. In this example, the handle has a stem assembly 190 connected tothe distal open end 182 of the rear extension 128. The free end portion178 of one of the frame extensions 128 and an assembled and installedhandle 126 are shown in FIG. 7. The handle 126 disclosed herein isadjustable using a single actuator in two different directions or modes.As shown in FIG. 7, the handle can slide longitudinally along an axis Sof the stem assembly 190 to extend or retract the rearward position ofthe handle 126 on the rear extension 128. The handle 126 can also berotated in this example about the axis S to adjust the angularorientation of the handle. One example of a mechanism arrangement thatcan accomplish dual-mode adjustment using a single actuator is describedherein.

FIG. 8 shows a partial cut-away, partial cross section of a portion ofthe handle 126 and tube extension 128 shown in FIG. 7. The stem assembly190 as shown has an exterior decorative cover 192 that is sized andshaped to slip over the free end 178 of the rear frame extension 128.The stem assembly 190 has an interior core 194 with a body section 195that is sized to closely but slidably fit within the interior 180 of therear extension 128. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view and FIG. 10 showsand end view of the stem core 194, which has a hollow interior dividedinto different shaped regions. The hollow interior extends the length ofthe stem core 194 along the stem axis S. In this example, the stem axisS is concentric with the rear frame extension axis when the handle 126is installed.

An open interior section 196 of the hollow interior within the elongatebody section 195 has a generally rectangular cross-section. The interiorsection 196 extends over a substantial portion of the body section'slength. The body section 195 has an exterior surface 198 thatcorresponds to the shape of the rear extension interior 180. In thisexample, the exterior surface 198 of the stem core body section 195 hasa pair of flat sides 200, a pair of rounded sides, and a pair ofelongate slots 202. One slot 202 extends along a substantial portion ofthe length of the stem core and is located on each of the flat sides.Each slot 202 extends through the core body from the exterior surface198 to the interior section 196.

An annular collar 204 has a generally circular configuration sizedlarger than the circumference of the exterior surface 198 of the bodysection 195. The collar 204 terminates one end of the body section 195.A connector 206 extends beyond the collar 204 in a direction oppositethe body section 195 on the stem core 194. The connector 206 in thisexample has a circular cylindrical tip 208 that terminates in a radiallyoutwardly extending annular flange 210. The connector tip 208 has anexterior cylindrical surface 211 adjacent the flange 210 and a pair ofopposed relief slots 212. The slots extend axially along and through thesurface 211 from the open end at the flange 210. The slots 212 serve adual purpose, each of which is described in greater detail below. Aribbed region 214 is positioned between the surface 211 of the tip 208and the collar 204. The ribbed region 214 includes an annular flange 216extending around the circumference of the tip. A plurality of ribs 218in the ribbed region 214 extends axially between the flange 216 and thecollar 204. The ribs 218 project radially outward from the tip 208 andadd strength and rigidity to the connector end 204.

As shown in FIG. 9, the relief slots 212 in the connector tip 208 extendlongitudinally and are opposed 180° from one another in the surface 211.The length or extent of the relief slots 212 in the direction of thecollar 204 is such that the slots impinge on the location of the flange216. Thus, in the ribbed region 214, the flange 216 is curved toward andconnects to the collar 204 and follows the contour of the ends of theslots 212. A cylindrical bore section 220 of the core's hollow interiorextends from the end of the tip 208 along the stem core 194 to theinterior section 195 of the body section 195.

The handle 126 also has a grip body 230 shown in perspective view inFIG. 7. The grip body 230 in this example is sized and configured to begrasped by one hand of a user. The grip body 230 has an elongateexterior gripping surface 232, a free end 234, and an attachment end236. The attachment end 236 is shown detached from the stem assembly 190in FIG. 11. The grip body 230 in this example has a grip axis G orientedgenerally along the length of the body. In this example, the attachmentend 236 has a contoured through-opening 238 in the grip body that isoriented generally perpendicular to the grip axis G. As shown in thecross section view of FIG. 12, the attachment end 236 of the grip body230, including the through-opening 238, is clearly visible. The opening238 extends (with respect to the stroller front and rear) from a rearside 240 of the grip body 230 to a forward facing or front side 242.

A relatively wide, deep recess 244 defines a portion of thethrough-opening 238 on the rear side 240 of the grip body 230. In thisexample, the handle actuator is a push-button 246, which is slidablyreceived in the recess 244. A connector bore 248 is smaller in size thanthe recess 244, communicates at one end with the recess 244, and formsan intermediate portion of the through-opening 238 in this example. Theconnector bore 248 has an interior surface 249 sized to closely matchthe exterior surface 211 of the connector tip 208 on the stem core 194.Near the front side 242 of the grip body 230, an intermittent reliefregion 250 forms another part of the through-opening 238 andcommunicates with the other end of the connector bore 248. A pluralityof radially outwardly recessed ways or relief notches 252 areintermittently recessed into the grip body material. The notches arecircumferentially spaced apart around the relief region 250. A guidebore 254 defines the opposite end of the through-opening 238 on thefront side 242 of the grip body 230. The guide bore 254 is sized toreceive the exterior surface 256 of the flange 216 on the stem core 194.The interior surface 258 of the guide bore 254 bears against theexterior surface 256 of the flange 216 as depicted in FIGS. 12-14, whenthe handle 126 is assembled.

To connect the grip body 230 to the stem assembly 190, the tip 208 ofthe stem core 194 is inserted in the through-opening, first through theguide bore 254 and the relief region 250. The tip 208 is then snappedthrough the connector bore 248 portion of the through-opening 238. Therelief slots 212 permit the tip 208 to collapse, including the size ofthe flange 210 at the end of the tip 208, in order to fit through theconnector bore 248. As can be seen in FIGS. 12-14, the tip 208 can snapback to its original configuration once the flange 210 clears theconnector bore 248 and is positioned in the actuator recess 244 andretains the grip body 230 on the stem core 194.

The actuator, which in the disclosed example is a biased push-button246, operates a mechanism in order to accomplish the dual mode handleadjustment. In this example, the button 246 is coupled to a slug 260.The button 246 is longitudinally fixed to the slug and, in this example,can rotate relative to the slug's axis, which is essentially the axis S.The slug 260 is received in a slug receptacle 262 on the bottom side orinterior side of the button 246. A retainer 264 connects the button tothe slug, but allows rotation of the button relative to the slug. Inthis example, the button 246 is a non-cylindrical shape, and matches thecontour of the recess 244. Thus, as the grip portion 230 rotates aboutthe axis S, so does the actuator or button 246. In an alternativeexample, the button can have a round cylindrical shape matching acircular cylindrical recess in the handle. In such an example, theactuator or button could remain stationary as the handle grip portion230 rotates about the axis S. The opposite end of the slug 260 isconnected to a driver mechanism 266 that actuates various components inthe handle.

The driver mechanism in the disclosed handle example has a cam rod 270extending longitudinally along the hollow interior of the stem core 194.A first section 272 of the cam rod 270 is positioned substantially inthe bore 220 of the core's connector 206 and is coupled to the slug 260.A cam section 274 of the cam rod 270 extends longitudinally from thefirst section 272 along a substantial majority of the length of the corebody's interior section 196. An underside of the cam section 274 has alongitudinal rib 276 received in a narrow longitudinal guide slot 278formed in a surface of the interior section 196. A top side of the camsection 274 has a contoured surface. The surface has a proximal end 280near the first section 272 of the cam rod, a distal cam projection 282at the free end of the cam rod, and a flat region 284 between the end280 and the projection 282. The flat region in this example has a lengththat is slightly greater than the length of the pair of opposed openslots 202 in the sides of the stem core body section 195. A proximal camor ramped surface 286 is positioned at the proximal end 280. A distalcam or ramped surface 288 is positioned on the cam projection 282. Eachof the cam surfaces 286 and 288, respectively, is angled facing the samedirection (toward the free end of the cam rod) in this example.

The flat surface 284 is aligned along one edge of each of the core slots202. The cam surface 286 and the projection 282 extend in a directionfrom the flat surface 284 toward the opposite edge of each of the slots202. Thus, the core body section 195 is open through the slots 202 andacross the adjacent flat region 284. Movement of the button or actuator246 slides the driver mechanism 266 and the entire cam rod 270 along thehollow interior of the stem core 194. The cam driver in this example hasa thin elongate blade-like shape over its length and its top and bottomsurfaces are generally flat when viewed in cross-section. A spring 289surrounds the first section 272 and is captured within the connectorbore 220. One end of the spring 289 bears against the end of the slug260 and the other end bears against a stop surface at the juncturebetween the bore 220 and the narrower width interior section 196 in thecore's body section 195. The spring 289 biases the actuator or button246 outward to its home position shown in FIG. 12.

A bow 290 is positioned within the core interior section 196 and has anarcuate or curved body 292. The body is curved concavely on the sidefacing the flat surface 284 of the cam driver 270. A nub or projection294 protrudes from the opposite convex side of the bow 290. The nub isreceived in a receptacle 296 extending through a side of the core bodysection 195. The nub and receptacle retain the bow in a fixedlongitudinal position along the stem core 194. As shown in FIG. 12, thebow 290 in side view has reduced thickness or thin regions 298 on eitherside of the nub 294. The thin regions permit the bow 290 to flex fromits natural arcuate shape to a more linear shape as shown in FIG. 13.

A fixed pin 299 is inserted laterally across the interior 180 of theframe extension tube 128 and passes through both of the core slots 202.As shown in FIG. 12, a rounded, enlarged end 300 a, 300 b is formed oneach of the opposed ends of the bow 290. Each end 300 a, 300 b has acurved external bearing surface 301 a, 301 b, respectively, thatcontacts the cam surfaces 286 and 288. The bearing surfaces 300 a, 300 beach smoothly and gradually curves and transitions from the top convexsurface of the bow to the bottom concave surface in this example. Arecessed surface 302 a, 302 b is formed into the body 292 of the bowpositioned adjacent each end 300 a, 300 b. Each recessed surface 302 a,302 b is sandwiched between the respective ends 300 a, 300 b on one sideand a respective raised projection 304 a, 304 b spaced inward from theends. The bow 290 can be formed from any number of suitable resilient,flexible, and yet somewhat stiff materials and perform the intendedpurpose as described below.

The end of the slug 260 coupled to the cam rod 270 also has an elongatepin 310 passing laterally or transversely through and extending beyondopposite sides of the slug. The exposed ends of the transverse pin 310extend into the slots 212 in the connector tip 208. The terminal ends ofthe relief slots 212 match the curvature of the pin 310 circumferenceand the exposed pin ends bears against the ends of the relief slots 212.As a result, the slug 260 and the pin 310 do not rotate within the stemcore 194. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the ends of the pin 310 extendradially beyond the surface 211 of the connector tip 208. The pin 310aligns longitudinally along the stem axis S with the relief region 250of the grip body 230 when the button is biased to its home position ofFIG. 12. The pin ends can thus be seated in an opposed pair of thenotches 252 in the attachment end 236 of the grip body. The grip body230 in this configuration can not rotate because it is restrained byinterference of the pin 310 seated within the notches 252.

The dual mode function of the handle 126 in this example is describedwith reference to FIGS. 12-14. FIG. 12 shows the handle 126 in aretracted position on the rear frame extension 128 and with the actuatoror button 246 in the outwardly biased or home position. In thisarrangement, the pin 299 is captured between the projection 304 a nearthe proximal enlarged end 300 a of the bow 290 and a proximal end of theslots 202. The pin 299 is also captured between the recessed surface 302a and the flat surface 284 near the proximal end 280 of the cam section274.

As shown in FIG. 13, the actuator or button 246 can be depressed to arelease position within the recess 244. This frees the handle 126 to beeither extended, rotated, or both as desired by the user. Adjustment ofthe handle extended position is described first.

When the button 246 is pushed into the recess 244 of the grip body 230,the slug 260, its pin 310, and the cam rod 270 are all movelongitudinally in unison in the same direction. The bearing surfaces 301a, 301 b on the opposite ends 300 a, 300 b of the bow 290 ride along therespective ramp or cam surfaces 286 and 288. The ends 300 a, 300 b ofthe bow 290 are pushed away from the cam rod 270, which flattens out thebow as shown in FIG. 13. The projections 304 a, 304 b move away from thedriver 270 when the bow flattens or flexes. This provides clearance forthe frame extension pin 299 to freely travel along the slots 202. Thehandle 126 can then be slid along the frame extension tube 128 from itsretracted position (FIG. 12) to an extended position (FIG. 14) until thepin 299 seats against the opposite ends of the slots 202. A portion ofthe stem core body 195 extends from the open end 182 of the frameextension tube 128 in this configuration.

If a user only wishes to adjust the handle extension and has done so,they can then release the button 246. The spring 289 biases the button246, the slug 260, the pin 310, and the cam rod 270 back to the home,locked positions of FIG. 12. When the components return to the lockedpositions, the bearing surfaces 301 a, 301 b on the ends 300 a, 300 b ofthe bow 290 to ride back down the ramps or cam surfaces 286 and 288. Theresiliency of the bow material returns the bow 290 to its curved shape.The frame extension pin 299 is captured on one side by the projection304 b and on the other side by both the cam projection 282 and the endsof the slots 202. The pin 299 also seats against the recessed surface302 b and the flat surface 284 in the extended, locked configuration ofthe handle 126.

If the user wishes to adjust the handle rotational position, they can doso either at the same time they adjust the handle extended position orindependently. With the button 246 depressed to the release position asshown in FIG. 13, the grip body 230 can also be rotated about the stemaxis to a desired angular orientation. In the release position, the slug260 and its pin 310 move longitudinally and exit the notches 252 inwhich the ends of the pin previously resided. The grip body 230 is freeto rotate about the connector 206 of the stem core 194. A user canorient the grip body to the desired rotational position and then releasethe actuator or button. The spring 289 biases the components to therelease position, during which the pin 310 will drop into the nearestadjacent opposed pair notches 252.

The cover 192 of the stem assembly 190 can be a tube having an exteriorsurface 312 contoured to achieve desired aesthetic characteristics.During assembly of the stroller, the cover 192 can be slipped over theopen end 182 of the frame extension tube 128 prior to installation ofthe stem core 194. The frame extension pin 299 can then be installed tosecure the stem assembly 190 on the extension 128. As the handle isfully assembled and installed, the cover can be slid up to the installedstem assembly and snapped on, twisted and locked, or otherwise connectedto the collar 204 or other portion of the stem assembly. When installed,the cover 192 hides the fixed pin 299 and other core components. In oneexample, a ring (not shown) can be provided covering the abuttingsurfaces of the grip body 230 and the cover 192. Such a ring can beutilized as an aesthetic attachment or, in addition, as a device to addsome stability to the assembled handle 126.

As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, theparticular details of the handle construction can vary and yet fallwithin the spirit and scope of the present invention. Mechanisms in thehandle stem can be altered to provide more than two linear travel stoppositions selected by a user. Details of the bow and driver can also bevaried considerably. Alternative mechanisms can also be utilized. Theshapes, contours, orientation angles, and the like of the handles andhandle components can be varied from the example disclosed withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The disclosed handles 126 are umbrella-type handles provided forgrasping by a single hand of a user. Each handle has an actuator thatcan be manipulated by a user to render the handle adjustable in morethan one direction, mode, plane or axis of movement. In this example, bysimply pressing the actuator on the handle, a user can rotationallyadjust the handle as well as extend or retract the handle longitudinallyalong its axis. The handles 126 can be utilized on virtually any type ofstroller. Their use is not intended to be limited only to athree-dimensional collapsible stroller. The collapsible stroller 100 isdescribed herein merely as a platform to illustrate a number ofdifferent stroller features of the invention. The dual mode adjustablehandle can be used on non-collapsible strollers, two-dimensionalcollapsible strollers, multiple occupant strollers, or the like.

The stroller 100 disclosed herein includes a rear brake system that canbe actuated by a user using the same brake actuator to both lock andrelease the brake mechanisms on both rear wheel assemblies 119. In thedisclosed example, the brake actuator is center-mounted on the hub 162of the rear, lower cross-brace 160 of the stroller, and yet the stroller100 is capable of collapsing in three dimensions.

Each rear wheel assembly 119 has a brake mechanism. One example of awheel brake mechanism is described herein with reference to FIGS. 15-24.As noted above, the lower cross-brace 160 in this example interconnectsportions of the frame sides 102 a and 102 b near the rear wheelassemblies 119. The lower cross-brace 160 in this example is dividedinto two brace sections 350 a and 350 b. These sections areinterconnected at the center of the cross-brace at the hub 162. Thecross-brace sections 350 a and 350 b are pivotable relative to oneanother at the hub 162 as described below. FIG. 15 shows a subassemblyof the stroller 100 including the rear frame legs 123, the rear wheelassemblies 119, and the cross-brace 160. FIG. 16 shows an underside,close-up perspective view of one of the wheel assemblies 119.

The disclosed brake system uses a pair of linear actuator cables 354each having a proximal end coupled to the brake actuator at the hub 162.The distal end of each cable 354 is routed to a respective one of therear wheel assemblies 119 and is connected to an interior side of a rearwheel strut housing 356. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, one end of theactuator cable 354 is received in a cable receptacle 358 in the housing356 at each wheel assembly 119. A push-pull core 354 a of the cableextends through a sleeve 354 b as is conventionally known. A brake lug360 is carried on the distal end of the core 354 a. The brake lug 360extends through a cable bore 362 in the strut housing 356 to theopposite exterior side of the strut housing. Each wheel assembly carriesonly a single rear wheel 364 in this example. The brake lug 360 facesthe rear wheel 364.

FIGS. 16 and 18 show an interior side of the wheel 364. Each rear wheel364 has a wheel hub 366 with a center axle bore 368 and a plurality offanned out ribs 370. The ribs 370 extend radially outward relative tothe axle bore 368, are spaced apart circumferentially around the axlebore, and have a length in an axial direction. The spaces between thefanned out ribs 370 form brake lug receivers 372. To lock the brakemechanism, the core 354 a of the cable 354 must push the brake lug 360toward the wheel 364 and into one of the receivers 372 (see FIG. 19).The lug will be sandwiched between a pair of the ribs 370 and preventthe wheel from rotating. To release the brake mechanism at each wheel,the core 354 a of the cable must pull the lug 360 out of the receiver272.

FIGS. 20-24 show features of the brake actuator located at the hub 162in the present example. The brake actuator has a lever or paddle 374that extends rearward from the hub 162. A stanchion 376 extends from thepaddle and carries a cylinder 377 with a transverse pivot bore 378extending through the cylinder in a direction generally parallel to thewidth of the paddle in this example. A hub cap 380 covers a portion ofthe rear facing side of the hub 162. The hub cap in this exampleincludes a pair of rear projection stanchions 382 that are spaced aparton the cap. Each of the stanchions has a pivot hole 382 formed thereinthat align with the pivot bore 378 of the paddle 374. A pivot pin 386 isreceived through the pivot holes 384 and the aligned pivot bore 378,pivotally mounting the paddle 374 to the cap 380.

The cap 380 covers a component recess 390 in the rear side of the hub162. A pair of brake links 392 is pivotally mounted in the recess 390.One end of each link 392 is mounted at a respective dedicated pivot 394about which the links can rotate. The core 354 a of each linear actuatorcable 354 has a proximal end with a second lug 396 (see FIG. 20) securedto the free end 398 of a respective one of the links 392. In thisexample, the cable of one side of the stroller is connected to theopposite link. Thus, the links 392 in this example are rotated outwardaway from one another to release the brake lugs and rotated toward oneanother to lock the brake lugs.

The brake paddle 374 has an annular flange 399 that extends radiallyoutward around the cylinder 377. The flange gradually splits apartaround part of its circumference into a pair of cam surfaces 400 thatspiral axially in opposite directions along the axis of the cylinder377. The cam surfaces 400 are best shown in FIGS. 21-23 to be above thepivot axis of the paddle when the paddle is downwardly positioned as inFIGS. 23 and 24. The cam surfaces rotated downward when the paddle islifted or pivoted upward. The cam surfaces bear against portions of thelinks 392 and rotate the links about their respective pivots 394according to movement of the paddle 374. In this example, a user lowersthe paddle 374 to lock the brakes and raises the paddle to release thebrakes. As shown in FIG. 17, a spring 402 in the cable bore 362 of eachstrut housing biases each brake lug 360 toward the braking position,drawing the lower ends of the links 392 toward one another. As thepaddle is raised, the cam surfaces 400 rotate downward, pushing thelinks apart and pulling the cables 354 to release the brakes.

The brake mechanism parts, functions, and operation can vary within thespirit and scope of the present invention. The paddle can be providedwith an over center feature to assist in holding it in the selectedpaddle position. The brakes can lock and release with different or thereverse paddle movements from the disclosed example. As will be evidentto those having ordinary skill in the art, the particular configurationof each of the parts that form the brake system disclosed herein canvary in configuration and construction and yet fall within the spiritand scope of the present invention. The wheel hub and brake ribarrangement can be replaced with other suitable brake mechanismconfigurations. Similarly, the linear actuator cable routing can varyfrom that disclosed herein. Further, the particular arrangement, shape,and orientation of the brake lever paddle 374, pivot parts, camsurfaces, actuator links, and hub can vary in configuration andconstruction as well and yet fall within in the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

The rear wheel assembly suspension system is next described withreference to FIGS. 15-17 and 24-26. Each rear wheel assembly 119 in thisexample has a single rear wheel 364 supporting on an axle 410. In thisexample, each axle 410 is formed integrally as part of a stabilizer rod412. The rods 412 each have one end 414 pivotally connected to a bracket416 carried by the respective brace sections 350 a and 350 b on oppositesides of the hub 162. Each rod 412 extends from the bracket toward thecorresponding strut housing 356. The rods each have a bend 418 in thisexample. The axles are those parts of the rods beyond the bend 418.

An axle bore 420 is formed through each of the strut housings forward ofa rear suspension unit 422 in this example. As shown in FIG. 17, theaxle bore is tapered and has a larger diameter section 424 on theinterior side of the strut housing. This tapered section 424 regionpermits some play for the axle 410 of the stabilizer rod 412, both forwhen the stroller is folded as shown in FIGS. 4-6 and when thesuspension moves as intended during use of the stroller. The rear wheels364 can be mounted to the free end of the axle portions 410 of thestabilizer rods 412 in a conventional manner.

In this example, a strut housing 356 is carried on one end of eachrespective cross-brace section 350 a and 350 b. Each strut housing 356in the disclosed example has an upper housing component 426 and a lowerhousing component 428 as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. The two housingcomponents telescope relative to one another as part of the function ofthe rear suspension units 422. The upper housing component 426 carries astrut cup 430 on the rear side of the housing. The strut cup 430 facesdownward and retains a top end 432 of a tubular strut 434 in each rearsuspension unit 422. A helical spring 436 surrounds each of the struttubes 434. An upper end 438 of the spring 436 abuts against an exposedsurface 440 of the cup 430.

The lower housing component in each rear suspension unit 422 has a strutguide sleeve 444 that is completely open. The sleeves each have adiameter sized to slidably receive a bottom end 446 of the respectivestrut tube 432. Each of the lower housing components 428 has an upperface 448 surrounding the guide sleeve 444 that acts as a lower springstop surface for a lower end 454 of the spring 436.

The axle bore 420, the axle portion 410 of the stabilizer rod 412, thecable end receptacle 358, and the distal end of the actuator cable 354on each wheel assembly 119 are carried by the lower housing components428. Thus, each rear wheel 364 is rotationally fixed to a respective oneof the lower housing components 428. In the disclosed example, eachupper housing component 426 is integrally formed on one end of eachrespective cross-brace section 350 a and 350 b. As upward force isapplied to each wheel 364 during use of the stroller, the lower struthousing components 428 can telescopically slide upward relative to theupper housing component 426 s. The strut tubes 434 can slide downthrough the guide sleeves 444 as the springs 436 compress. The springs436 will bias each of the rear suspension units to their unloaded orhome condition when unloaded. Thus, the springs 436 provide shockabsorbing and dampening capability for the stroller.

The rear wheel assemblies 119 fold inward when the disclosed stroller iscollapsed. The disclosed components that accomplish this motion are nextdescribed with reference to FIGS. 6, 16, 26, and 27. An exploded view ofthe two major components of each brace section 350 a and 350 b is shownin FIG. 27. Each brace section includes a lower leg connector 470 and across-member 472. In the disclosed example, each leg connector 470 ispivotally connected to an outer end 473 of a respective one of thecross-members. Each connector 470 has an end cap 474 that has a hollow,open top 475. The end caps 474 are oblong shaped cylinders that arevertically oriented. The end caps slip over and are attached to thelower ends 122 of the rear legs 123, with the legs received in the opentops 475. The end caps in this example are secured to the legs 123 in aconventional manner using fasteners installed through a pair of upperfastener openings 476. These openings are positioned near and onopposite sides of the open top 475 in the end cap.

The bottom of the end cap 474 has a pair of upwardly open slots 478. Adownward extending guide and stabilizer 480 is positioned between theslots 478 in each of the connectors 470. The stabilizers projectdownward from their respective connectors 470. The stabilizers 480 actas a rotational travel limiter, a rotational guide, and a structuralstabilizer for the joint in the cross-brace sections. In the disclosedexample, the side surfaces 481 of the stabilizers 480 are substantiallysmooth. The stabilizers 480 in this example have a downward dependingpart 482 positioned between the slots 478 and defining the inner limitsof the slots for each connector 470. The outer parameters of the slots478 are defined by various exterior sidewalls 483 of the oblong cylindershaped end caps 474.

Each stabilizer 480 also has an angled part that extends down, butangles inward toward the center of the lower cross-brace 160. In thedisclosed example, the angled parts are oriented at an angle of about45° relative to an axis of the connectors 470. If such a stabilizerstructure is in a stroller, that angle can vary considerably and yetfall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The angledparts each terminate at a distal end, which are each configured todefine a stop surface 485. In this example the stop surfaces 485 faceupward and are oriented in this example at about 45° relative to theangled parts and about 90° relative to the connector vertical axes. Thestop surfaces 485 bear against an underside portion of the cross-member472 when the stroller is in the in-use configuration. The stop surfaces485 can act as travel limiters to properly orient the cross-members 472relative to the leg connectors 470, and can add structural stability tothe stroller, when the stroller 100 is in the in-use configuration.

Each cross-member 472 has a pair of upstanding pivot arms 486 on theouter end 473. The arms are configured and sized to slip into the slots478 of the connectors. The pivot arms 486 each include a pivot opening487 which are aligned with one another. Each leg connector 470 has apair of similar pivot openings 488 in opposed portions of the sidewalls483 near the slot openings in the bottom of the connector. When thecross-members 472 are connected to the connectors 470, the openings 487align with the openings 488. A stabilizer slot 489 extends into theouter end 473 of each of the cross-members 472 and is positioned betweenthe spaced apart pivot arms 486. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 27, eachstabilizer slot is sized to receive the respective stabilizer 480 and topermit rotation of the stabilizer within the slot.

A pivot pin or hinge pin 490 is installed separately through each pairof pivot openings 487 and 488 in each of the pivot arms 486 and theadjacent sidewall 483 of the connectors. In an alternative example, asingle pin can be extended through the entire assembly as long asopening is provided through the depending part 482 of the stabilizer 480in this example.

When the stroller is in the in-use configuration, each leg connector 470and cross-member 472 assembly is arranged in a right angle in thisexample. The angled part 484 of the stabilizer 480 is partially exposedat the joint between these two components and adds stability to thestructure. The distal ends of the stabilizers 480, including the stopsurfaces 485, are positioned beneath the respective cross-members 472.The stop surfaces 485 and top surfaces 491 of the stabilizer bearagainst complimentary surfaces 492 on the underside of the cross-membersfor stability and to limit travel.

As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the hub 162 is formed of two hub halves orparts 162 a and 162 b, one each carried on the inner end 492 of each ofthe cross-members 472. Each hub part 162 a and 162 b has a generallyrounded side 493 and a flat side 494. The rounded side 493 of one of thecross-members formed the brake component or hub recess 390. The flatsides 494 are configured to bear and slidably rotate against one anotherwhen the cross-brace 160 is assembled. One of the hub parts 162 a has acentered male cylinder 495 that projects beyond a plane of the flat side494 of that part. The male cylinder 495 is received in a female cylinder496 of the other hub part 162 b. The male and female cylinder align thehub parts with one another but permit rotation between the two partsabout an axis H of the hub. A torsion spring 497 is provided within theassembled hub 162. An end 498 and 499 is connected to each of thecross-members 472 within the hub parts 162 a and 162 b and assists tobias the cross-brace to its extended, unfolded orientation.

As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, thecross-members 472 and connectors 470 can vary in construction. In oneexample, the components can be injection molded plastic with ribs andprojections added for strength and rigidity. Alternately, the parts canbe made from metal, and can be cast, stamped, welded, and/or the like.The particulars of the pivot joint can also vary from that shown. Theshape and arrangement of the parts can vary, and the components can beswitched between the parts. The stabilizer 480, slots, and pivot armscan be altered from that shown at yet provide the desired pivoting jointfunction. Various alternative travel or rotation limiters can also beprovided to supplement or replace the structures disclosed.

The upper cross-brace 150 is next described with reference to FIGS.28-35. In the disclosed example, the upper cross-brace 150 incorporatesa pair of adult or parent cup holders 500 in the brace. The cup holders500 are integral with the brace and yet the brace can collapse or breakdown to permit the stroller 100 to collapse in a width or side-to-sidedirection. The upper cross-brace 150 in this example is reconfigurablebetween a loose, collapsible condition (see FIG. 4) and a stiffcondition as shown in FIGS. 28-30, wherein the brace assists to stiffenand stabilize the stroller frame 102.

As shown in FIGS. 28 and 30, the upper cross-brace 150 has three basiccomponents pivotally connected to one another. The brace 150 has ahandle assembly 502 positioned centrally on the brace between the pairof cup holder assemblies 500. The opposed distal ends of the cross-brace150 each include a saddle shaped brackets or devises 504. Each bracketor clevis 504 is U-shaped in cross section, but has an elongate lengthin an axial direction. Each clevis 504 has an elongate interior surface505, a lengthwise axis, and an open side 506. The surface 505 issemi-cylindrical and contoured to match the shape of the rear frameextension tubes 128. A pair of extensions 507 project axially from oneend of each clevis 504. The extensions 507 on each clevis 504 are spacedapart across the open side 506. A hole 508 is formed through eachextension 507 of each clevis 504. The holes 508 are for pivotallyattaching each clevis 504 to a respective one of the frame extensions128.

In this example, the devises are oriented so that the extensions projecttoward the handles 126. The devises are positioned between the frameextensions 128 with the interior surfaces 505 facing outward. Eachbracket 504 can pivot about the attachment points 508 in an arc towardand away from the respective frame extension 128. In the disclosedexample, the interior surfaces 505 will pivot downward and outward bygravity into contact with their respective frame extension 128. Eachclevis 504 can be secured to the top and bottom of the exterior surface180 of the corresponding frame extension 128 using each pair of holes508. A single clevis pin, rivets, or other conventional fasteners can beused to attach the devises 504. In the disclosed example, devises orbrackets can not rotate circumferentially around the frame extensiontubes 128.

In the stiff brace configuration of FIGS. 28 and 29, the interiorsurface 505 of each bracket lies adjacent the exterior surface 180 ofthe respective frame extension 128. In this configuration, the bracketsare forced against and can not swing away from the frame extensions.When in the collapsed or loose configuration, the devises 504 are freeto swing within their travel arc relative to the frame extensions 128about the attachment points 508.

In the disclosed example, the devises 504 are integrally connected to aportion of the cup holders 500. The longitudinal axis along each clevisis oriented at an angle relative to a plane of the cup holder assembliesin this example. This is so that the open sides 506 and surfaces 505 ofeach clevis 504 align with the frame extensions while the cup holderassemblies 500 are positioned in a proper, level orientation when thestroller is in the in-use configuration as depicted in FIG. 1.

In the disclosed example, each cup holder assembly 500 has a cup-shapedreceptacle 510 with a closed bottom, a cylindrical side wall 512, and anannular, radially outwardly extending lip 514. Each assembly 500 alsohas a support ring 516 and a bridge 526 extending from a side surface ofthe ring. In this example, the bridge 526 of each assembly is formedwith the ring 516 and the clevis 504 as a unitary or one-piecestructure. The rings each have an opening sized to slip over the bottomand side wall 512 of one of the receptacles 510. The lips 514 are sizedto rest upon an upper edge of the rings 516. When in use, the bridges526 and the devises 504 are positioned at the outermost ends of thecross-brace 150.

Each support ring 516 has a handle connector 530 extending from a sideof the ring opposite the bridge 526 and clevis 504. The handleconnectors 530 each have a stem 532 projecting toward the handle 502.The handle connectors 530 each also have a puck 534 carried by the stem532 as can be seen in FIGS. 31 and 32. In the disclosed example, eachpuck is a disk-shaped body that has a puck plane, a thickness, a center,and a generally circular perimeter. A pair of axles 536 project inopposite directions from the center of each puck 534 and generallyperpendicular to the puck plane. Each of the axles 536 and stems 532 inthis example is formed integrally with its respective puck.

The handle assembly 502 has a pair of oblong cover plates 540 positionedfacing or confronting one another. Each plate has a perimeter lip 538extending around portions of the plate perimeters and projecting out ofplane from the plate toward the opposite plate. Each plate 540 also hasrounded opposed ends 542. The pucks 534 are positioned at the oppositeends 542 of the cover plates 540 and are sandwiched between the plates.When the cover plates 540 are assembled together, a gap 543 is formed oneach end of the handle assembly 502 between adjacent perimeter lips 538.A portion of the perimeter of each puck 534 from which the stem 532projects is exposed at each gap 543. The gaps permit the pucks 534 andthe respective stems 532 to rotate about the axle pins 536 relative tothe handle assembly 502. As shown in FIG. 31, an inward facing,oval-shaped axle receptacle 544 is formed near each end 542 of eachcover plate 540. When the cover plates sandwich the pucks 534 betweenthem, each axle pin 536 of each puck 534 is received in a correspondingones of the oval receptacles. The pucks 534 are thus rotationallyretained in position in the handle assembly. The oval receptacles permitslight movement of the pucks toward an away from one another.

Each of the pucks 534 also has a pair of openings 550 extending axiallythrough the puck, i.e., perpendicular to the puck plane. The openings550 are spaced slightly inward from the puck perimeter and positionedabout 180° opposed to one another around the puck circumference. Theopenings 550 on each puck 534 are also positioned about 90°circumferentially offset from the position of the stem 532. The openings550 are for receiving link pins 552 as shown in FIG. 31. Each of thepucks 534 in this example also has a radially extending slot formed intoa perimeter side wall 554 on a side opposite the puck stem 532. Eachslot extends from the puck side wall 554 parallel to the puck plane andcontinues to the openings 550. In the disclosed example, the pucks 534,stems 532 and rings 516 are also formed as unitary or one piece integralcomponents

A pair of links 560 is oriented to form an X-shaped scissor linkarrangement. The links 560 crisscross in the middle of the handleassembly as shown in FIGS. 30, 31, 34, and 35. One end of each link 560is connected the link pins 552 on one puck. The links crisscross oneanother and the other ends of the links are connected to the link pins552 on the other puck 534.

A release button 562 is mounted within the handle assembly 502 andsandwiched between the two cover plates 540 and between the pivotalpucks 534. A part of the button 562 projects from a side edge of thehandle assembly 502 between spaced apart and adjacent portions of thelips 538 of the cover plates 540. The button 562 has a relatively largeexposed face 564 for gripping by a user, either with the palm of theirhand or a plurality of their fingers. In this example, the gripping face564 faces forward on the stroller and thus would be most often graspedby a user's fingers. The opposite edge 566 of the handle assembly 502can be gripped by a portion of the user's hand, in this case the user'spalm, and the button 562 drawn inward into the handle assembly 502. Thebutton 562 can be depressed inward against the biasing force of a spring568 or other biasing element as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35.

A leading end 570 of the button 562 within the handle assembly has alink release pin 572. The release pin 572 extends in a directionperpendicular to the direction of travel of the button in this example.A guide slot 574 is provided in a plate 576 sandwiched within the coverplates 540. The link release pin 572 can travel within the guide slot574 from one end to the other according to movement of the button 562.As best illustrated in FIGS. 34 and 35, each of the links 560 has arelief or notch 578 formed in one edge. Each relief or notch 578 faces adirection opposite the button 562 and toward the link release pin 572.Each notch is at a slight angle relative to a side edge of the link inthis example. This is because the notches are intended to lie parallelto the guide slot 574 even though the links are at a shallow angle tothe slot 574.

As depicted in FIG. 34, when the cross-brace 150, including its threemajor components 500 and 502, is arranged in a generally linearorientation, the three major components are held in a relatively stiffor rigid condition. In this orientation, the notch or relief 576 in eachlink aligns with and overlies the other. The spring 568 biases thebutton 562 to its outward non-depressed condition. In this buttonposition, the link release pin 572 is also drawn via the spring biasingforce into the notches 576 in the links. The links 560 can not move and,thus, the pucks can not rotate in this arrangement. In this condition,the cross-brace 150 is essentially locked or held in the stiffstructural support orientation.

As shown in FIG. 35, when the button 562 is depressed inward into thehandle 502, the link pin 572 is released from the notches 576. Thispermits the links to move freely within the handle assembly withrotation of the pucks 532 about their axial pins 536. When the linksmove far enough so that the respective notches 576 or relieves no longeroverlie or align with one another, the link release pin 572 can not dropinto the notches and can not lock the cross-brace in the stiff, linearorientation. Also in this condition, the cross-brace is free to fold orcollapse. The three major components 500 and 502 are pivotally looselyconnected to one another and the puck pivot pins 536. This permits thecross-brace to fold when the disclosed stroller is collapsed. To returnthe cross-brace 150 to the stiff condition, a user need only linearlyalign the two cup holder assemblies 500 with the handle assembly 502,which in turn will rotate the links and pucks. The spring 568 will biasthe button 562 and release pin 572 back into the aligned notches 576.

Features of the passenger or child's tray assembly 124 are nextdescribed with reference to FIGS. 36-42. The passenger tray 124, wheninstalled on the stroller 100 in the disclosed example extends acrossthe frame assembly sides 102 a and 102 b and is positioned upward andforward of the seat 104 so that an occupant can utilize the tray as isconventionally known. The tray 124 in the disclosed example hasessentially three primary parts. One of those components is a trayinsert 600 that provides a support surface 602, and in the disclosedexample, a pair of recessed receptacles or bowls 604. In this example,each of the receptacles is essentially a cup-shaped bowl having a bottomsurface 606 and a tapered upstanding side wall 608.

The tray insert 600 has a slight arcuate or curved shape with a bowedconvex front wall 610 and a concave rear wall 612. The insert also hassemi-spherical ends which surround and follow the contour of the bowls604 and which are positioned at opposite ends of the insert. In thedisclosed example, the bowls 604 have different contours and can be usedfor different purposes. One bowl has a continuously or smoothly curvedshape for storing food items. The shape makes it easier for a toddler toremove the food items. The other bowl has a more angular shape that canbe used as a cup holder. As will be evident to those having ordinaryskill in the art, the particular contour of the tray insert 600,including its surfaces and receptacles, if any, can vary and yet fallwithin the spirit and scope of the present invention. Alternatively, oneor more of the receptacles 604 can be eliminated entirely; although asdescribed below, certain structures that perform tray folding orcollapsing functions provided by these receptacles would have to bereplaced in some manner.

The other primary tray parts include a pair of mounting components 620that connect to and support the tray insert 600 when installed on thestroller. Each of the mounting components 620 is a mirror image of theother in the disclosed example. However, that certainly need not be thecase. In the disclosed example, each of the mounting components can beattached or removed from the stroller independently. Each of themounting components 620 includes a connector assembly 622 that attachesto part of the stroller. Each also includes a support arm 624 pivotallyconnected at one end to the connector 622 and pivotally connected to thetray insert at a respective end.

In this example, each connector assembly 622 has a body 623 with aprojection 626 extending rearward from the body. The projections areconfigured to be received in a forward open end 628 of the armrests 172of the stroller 100. As depicted in FIGS. 37-41, each connector assembly622 also includes a latch mechanism that in the disclosed exampleremovably but securely latches the connector 622 to the arm rest 172when installed.

In this example, the latch mechanisms each include an elongate flexiblefinger 632 snapped into place within the projection 626. Each finger hasa trunnion on one end with a pair of aligned pins 634. The projectionhas openings 636 provided in spaced apart surfaces 638 in theprojection. The trunnion pins snap into the openings 636 to retain thefinger in place. A button hole 640 is formed in an underside 642 of eachof the connector bodies 623. A button 644 projects from the finger atits other end and is received in the button hole when the finger isinstalled. In the disclosed example, the button is biased downwardthrough the hole 640 via resiliency of the finger. The button 644 can bedepressed upward into the connector body, which flexes the finger 632. Abottom surface of the arm rest 172 has a latch opening 646 that receivesa ramped tab 648 protruding from a bottom of the flexible finger 632.

The ramped tab 648 will automatically flex the finger upward as theprojection 626 of the connector 622 is slid into place into the forwardopen end 628 of the arm rest 172. Once the latching face 650 on the edgeof the ramped tab 648 is within latch opening 646 in the arm rest, theflexible finger 632 snaps into place. The latch tab or ramped tab 648snaps into the latch opening 646. The connector 622 is retained in thearm rest open end 628 by interference between an edge of the latchopening 640 and the latch face 650. To remove the connector 622, oneneed only press upward on the button 644 to release the tab 648.

In the disclosed example, each of the support arms 624 has a bridgingsection 652 with one end pivotally coupled to one of the connectors 622.Each of the bridging sections 652 continues away from the connector to asupporting section 654. Each supporting section of the support arms 624is received beneath and rotationally coupled to the tray insert 600.

As shown in FIG. 38, each of the support arms 624 is curved, butgenerally wedged shaped. Each has a front facing surface 656, a rearsurface 658, and an end surface 660. Each supporting section 654 is alsoformed with a round cylindrical opening 662 surrounded by a perimetersupporting structure 664. When the tray is in the in-use configuration,the end surfaces 660 are positioned beneath the tray insert and out ofview.

In the disclosed example, the front surface 610 of the tray insert has amid-section 666 that has a length in this example that extends generallybetween the two storage receptacles 604, or about the length of thestorage surface 602 between the storage receptacles. This mid-section666 has a greater height dimension than the remaining portions of thefront wall 610, the curved side walls 614, and slight end portions ofthe rear wall 612. In this example, the rear wall 612 also has amid-section 668 that has a height dimension similar to the frontmid-section 666. In the disclosed example, the remaining portions of theperimeter surfaces of the tray insert, including the ends 614 and theend portions of the front and rear walls 610 and 612 have a height aboutone-half that of the mid-sections 666 and 668.

The thickness or heights of the perimeter structures 664 of the supportarms 624 also have a height in this example that is about one-half theheight of the mid-section walls 666 and 668. When the tray 124 isassembled, the bowls 604 each drop into a respective one of the roundopenings 662 in the support sections of the support arms. As can be seenin FIGS. 36 and 37, when the tray is assembled, the front and rearsurfaces 656 and 658, respectively, of the bridging sections 652 of thesupport arms form continuations of the assembled tray insert walls andgenerally match and follow the contours of the tray insert walls.

As shown in the underside view of FIG. 38 and the cross-section view ofFIG. 42, each end surface 660 of the wedged-shaped support arms 624 hasa curved contour and a lip 670 that extends radially outward from anupper edge pf the surface. The lip 670 follows a continuous arch of thewedged-shaped end surfaces 660. The underside 672 of the tray insert 600includes a pair of tracks 674 that correspond in shape to the curvatureand depth of the lips 670. Each of the tracks 674 has an L-shapedcross-section in this example. A lip 670 is received in and captured byeach track 672 as shown in FIGS. 38 and 42. In this configuration, eachof the support arms 624 can be rotated relative to the tray insert aboutan axis of the bowls 604 and round openings 604. The lips 670 remain atleast partly captured within the tracks to smoothly guide rotation ofthe support arms 624.

As depicted in FIG. 38, the exterior surface 676 of each of the bowls604 has one or more protruding annular ridges 678 extending around thebowl circumference. The ridges are formed at a position on the bowls 604to snap through the round openings 662 in the supporting sections 654.The ridges bite beneath an underside of the perimeter structures 664around the round openings 662. When the tray insert 600 is installed onthe support arms 624, the bowls 604 snap into place in the roundopenings 662 to retain the insert 600 on the mounting components 620.

The bridging section 652 of each support arm 624 has a flat end 680 witha pivot opening. Each connector body 623 has a C-shaped end with apocket 684 formed between two spaced apart extensions 686 and sized toreceive the flat end 680 therein. Aligned openings are also formed onein each extension. A pivot pin 688 extends through the aligned openingsin the extensions and the opening in the flat end 680 to form a pivotjoint 690 between the connector assemblies 622 and the support arms 624.The support arms can pivot about the joints 690 relative to theconnector assemblies.

The disclosed tray 124 can be removed completely from the stroller 100by detaching the connector assemblies 622 from the arm rests 172.Alternatively, either end of the tray 124 can be removed from an armrest of the stroller simply by depressing the button 644 on theunderside of a selected one of the connectors 662 and detaching onlythat connector. The tray can be easily be pivoted out of the way of theseat using the pivot joint 690 at the opposite connector assembly 622 aswell as the pivoting relationship between bowls 604 and the support arms624.

The tray 124 provides another function described with reference to FIG.4. When the stroller 100 is collapsed, the support arms 624 rotate aboutthe joints 690 outward and away from one another. When rotated in thisdirection, the end surfaces 660, normally hidden beneath the tray insert600 in the in-use tray configuration, rotate forward and become exposedwhen the tray is collapsed along with the stroller. The contour andextent of the perimeter structure 664 that defines the end surfaces 660can be designed to create feet that project forward of the tray frontsurface 610 as depicted in FIG. 4 so that the stroller can stand easilywhen in the collapsed configuration.

The front wheel assemblies 118 are described in greater detail hereinwith respect to FIGS. 43-46. Each front wheel assembly 118 in thedisclosed example has a pair of front wheels 700 including an innerwheel and an outer wheel. Each of the front wheel assemblies provides adual function. A first wheel suspension function is to provide asmoother ride for the occupant of the stroller 100 disclosed herein. Thesecond is to selectively render the front wheel assemblies either fixedor locked in a forward-only direction or rotationally free to permit thewheel assemblies to turn, i.e., spin, about the lower ends 120 of thefront legs 121.

Each of the front wheel assemblies 118 has a front strut housing 702attached to the lower end 120 of the frame front legs 121. A legreceiving bore 706 is provided in each strut housing 702 for insertionof the lower end 120 in the housing. Fasteners or other suitable meanscan be used to secure the strut housings to the lower ends 120 of thefront legs 121. In this example, each lower leg bore 706 is a throughbore and has near its lower end a radially inwardly extending annularflange 710. An end cap 712 is received over the open end 714 of thelower end 120 of the front legs 121. Each end cap 712 has a downwardextending stem portion 715 of a first diameter and a larger diameterhead portion 716 spaced from the end cap and carried by the stem. Thespace between the end cap 712 and head 716 created around the smallerdiameter stem 715 forms an annular groove. The lower ends 120 704 of thefront legs 121 and the end cap 712 can be slipped into the leg bore 706until the end cap reaches the inward extending flange 710 within thebore. The end cap head 716 snaps over the flange 710, which is thenretained in the groove to hold the strut housings 702 on the front legs121. With this arrangement, the strut housings 702 are free to rotateabout the axis of the front legs 121.

Each strut housing 702 has a rear side 718 that carries a downwardfacing strut cup 720 extending rearward from the rear side. Ahorizontally oriented pivot 722 is carried by and extends forward from afront side 723 of the strut housing. A lock lever 724 pivots up and downabout the pivot 722 and is pivotally attached at the pivot to thehousing. Each wheel assembly 118 has a pair of swing arms 726. One swingarm 726 is pivotally coupled to each end of the pivot 722. A swing arm726 extends from the front side to the back side on both sides of eachstrut housing 702 in this example. The rear ends 728 of the swing arms726 each carry a horizontally oriented axle sleeve 730 with a throughbore 732 extending through each sleeve.

As best shown in FIG. 43, each wheel assembly 118 includes a singleelongate axle 734 with opposed ends 736. One of the wheels 700 isattached to each end 736 of each axle 734. The swing arm sleeves 730align with one another and the axle 734 extends through the bore 732 ofeach swing arm on each wheel assembly 118. A strut assembly is mountedto each strut housing. Each strut assembly includes a helical spring 742and a two-part front strut. Each front strut has an upper strut tube 744and a telescoping strut rod 746 that is slidably received in theinterior of the strut tube in this example. A lower end of the strut rod746 includes a loop connector 748. The loop connector 750 is sandwichedbetween the confronting ends of the pair of swing arm sleeves 730 oneach front wheel assembly and the axle 734 also passes through the loopconnector. An upper end of the strut tube 744 bears against the interiorsurface of the strut cup 720. An upper end of the helical spring 742bears against a downward facing surface of an annular flange 751 on thestrut tube 744 in this example. Similarly, a lower end of the spring 742in this example bears against an upward facing surface of an annularflange 752 on the strut rod 746 in this example.

In operation, the upper end of the spring 742 and strut assembly arefixed into position by the housing 702. The axle 734, the strut rod 746,and the swing arms 726 move upward against the biasing force of thespring. The telescopic movement of the strut rod 746 within the struttube 744 permits such movement.

As shown in FIG. 46, the lock lever 724 of each front wheel assembly 118pivots between a downward position and an upward position. A drive link754 is positioned extending from the pivot 722 generally opposite thelock lever 724. A slide compartment 756 is provided on the front side ofeach front strut housing 702 and is oriented vertically. The drive link754 of the lock lever is positioned within the slide housing 756 and iscoupled to a slidable lock bar 758. The slide compartment 756 is formedby two adjacent parts. A portion of the slide compartment 756 is carriedintegrally on the front 723 of the strut housing 702, which can spinabout the axis of the front leg 121. An upper end 760 of the slidecompartment 756 is carried on a separate component 762 that is fixed tothe lower end 120 of the front leg 121 and abuts the top of the struthousing 702. The upper end 760 of the slide compartment 756 is closed onfour sides and is sized to fit the top end of the lock bar 758. Theupper end 760 of the slide compartment can not rotate relative to thefront leg 121.

As shown in FIG. 46, when the lock lever 724 is in the raised position,the drive link 754 draws the lock bar 758 downward so that it sits onlyin the lower portion of the slide compartment 756. In this position, thelock bar lies entirely below the top end of the strut housing 702. Thus,the entire front strut housing and front wheel assembly can rotate orspin freely around the axis of the front leg 121. In order torotationally lock the front wheel assemblies 118, each lock lever isrotated to its lowered or downward position. This moves the drive link754 in an upward direction which in turn drives the top end of the lockbar 758 upward into the upper end 760 of the slide compartment 756. Thefixed position upper end 760 does not permit the lock bar to move. Thus,the front wheel assemblies 118 are locked in the forward rollingposition in this lock lever position.

In the disclosed example, the separate component 762 positioned aboveeach of the strut housings 702 also integrally provides a mountingbracket 764 for an optional front foot rest of the stroller. A frontfoot rest (not shown) can be mounted to the end 766 of the mountingbrackets 764 on each side of the stroller and span the width of thestroller.

The stroller 100 disclosed herein can be folded to a compact collapsedsize in three dimensions. The folding structures and methods are nowdescribed herein. Other than the joint assemblies, the basic parts ofthe stroller 100 in the disclosed example were previously described. Thejoint assemblies 130 are best illustrated in FIGS. 47-51. The jointassemblies 130 on each of the frame sides 102 a and 102 b function tolatch or release many of the stroller components and to provideconnection points for many of the stroller components. Only one side ofthe stroller is described in this section for convenience, knowing thatboth stroller sides are the same in this example.

In this example, the joint assemblies 130 include one of the arm rests172. Each arm rest in this example is a curved plastic part with itsrear end 800 pivotally connected at an arm rest pivot 801 to the outerside of a lower end 802 of the frame extension 128. The top surface 804of the arm rest 172 is convex and the bottom surface 806 is concave. Thearm rest extends upward and forward of the frame extension in the in-useconfiguration. The front end 808 of the arm rest 172 forms the open end628 to which the tray 124 is attached.

A leg connector 810 is pivotally attached to the upper end 134 of therear leg 123 at a leg pivot 814. The leg connector is also a plasticpart and has a hollow end 816. The upper end 134 of the rear leg 123 isreceived in the hollow end 816. The rear leg 123 is bowed in a rearwarddirection and the leg connector 810 is curved to match the contour. Whenin the in-use configuration, the leg connector curvature and the rearleg curvature to coincide. The leg connector 810 is cut away on anunderside 818 to permit the leg connector to pivot to a lesser anglerelative to the leg 123 from the in-use coincident curvature.

A latch lever 820 is carried on the top or back side of the leg 123 andhas a hinge part 822 that is pivotally coupled to the leg at the sameleg connector pivot 814. The lever 820 has a handle part 824 extendingrearward from the hinge part 822. The hinge part 822 has two spacedapart sides 826 that create a gap in which the rear leg upper end 134 iscaptured. A split plastic pin 828 has two halves, one each insertablethrough a shaped hole 830 in each of the hinge part sides 826. The pinhas a shaped head 832 on each half that interlocks with the shaped holes830 so that the pin and lever rotate together. A bore 834 through theassembled pin 828 can receive a fastener such as a bolt, rivet, or thelike to secure the leg connector to the same pivot point, whilepermitting the leg connector to pivot independent of the lever 820.

As shown in FIGS. 47 and 48, the leg connector 810 is received over theupper end 132 of the front leg 121 and is affixed to the front leg. Aslide loop 842 extends further forward from the leg connector 810. Therear extension 128 passes through the loop 842 and can slide relative tothe loop. A linear coupler 850 has an elongate body and the lower end802 of the frame extension 128 extends within and along a portion of thebody over a majority of length of the coupler. The arm rest pivot 801secures the leg extension to the coupler and pivotally connects thecoupler to the arm rest. The front leg 121 extends through and along aportion of the coupler 850. The front leg is oriented parallel to theframe extension 128 along and within the coupler in this example, butcan slide longitudinally along the coupler.

In the in-use configuration, a top end 852 of the coupler 850 abuts theleg connector 810 where it is fixed to the upper end 132 of the frontleg 121. In the in-use configuration, the forward end of the legconnector 810 also nests within the back end 854 of the arm rest 172.Thus, the joint assembly 130 is formed by the coupler 850, the arm rest172, and the leg connector 810 which abut and nest relative to oneanother in a side of the frame 102 when in the in-use configuration. Astrap 860 extends from the latch lever 820 on one side to the latchlever on the other frame side and has a center grip 862. The strap 860can be used to actuate both of the latch levers with one hand.

As shown in FIGS. 48-50, a latch assembly 870 is housed within thehollow upper end 134 of the rear leg 123. The latch assembly includes ahousing 872 secured in place via the pin 828 also passing through a hole874 in the housing. A forward extending bore 876 is provided in thebottom side 878 of the housing 874 and opens generally facing the frontleg 121 and coupler 850. A spring 880 is received in the slot and biasesa latch slug 882 in a forward direction also toward the coupler 850. Aslot 884 is provided on each side of the housing 874 and each opens intothe interior of the bore 876. A drive pin 886 extends transverselythrough the slug 882 and laterally through and beyond each of the slots884. A radial arc notch 888 is formed into the perimeter edges on thebottom of each hinge part side 826. The ends of the drive pin 886 arecaptured between the ends 890 of the notches 888. The pin 886 is alsocaptured within the confines of the slots 884. Thus, the slug is biasedforward by the spring to a latch position where the pin 886 contacts theforward ends of the slots 884. The slug can be moved rearward only untilthe pin contacts the rear ends of the slots.

The latch lever 820 is pivoted to drive the slug. When the lever islifted or rotated about its pivot at the pin 828, one end of the notchwill bear against the pin 884 on each side of the housing 874 and drivethe slug rearward to its release position. When the lever is released orlowered back onto the rear leg, the slug can return under force of thespring to the latched position.

The upper end 852 of the coupler 850 has a latch hole 892 facingrearward. The latch hole is sized to receive the slug. A ramp surface994 is positioned around the latch hole so that when the joint assembly130 of the stroller is returned to its in-use configuration, the ramp994 will drive the slug 882 automatically to its release position untilthe hole 892 realigns with the slug. The spring 880 will then push theslug into the hole to latch the joint assembly 130 in the in-useconfiguration.

Turning to FIGS. 1-6, the collapsing structure and function is nowdescribed. From the in-use configuration, a user grasps the strap 860 bythe grip 862 using one hand and lifts upward. The latch levers 820 willrise, releasing the latch slug 882 from the latch holes 892 in bothsides of the stroller. The user also presses the button 562 of the upperbrace 150 into the handle assembly 502. This releases the uppercross-brace and renders it loose. By further lifting the strap, thestroller will collapse in the following manner.

The leg connectors 810 will pivot about the upper ends 134 of the legs123 and release from the arm rests 172. The upper ends of the frontlegs, fixed inside the leg connectors, are then able to move upward awayfrom the couplers 850. The couplers 850 will slide down the front legs121, as will the frame extensions 128, which are fixed within thecouplers. The lower rear cross-brace 160 will pivot about the hub 162and the rear wheel assemblies will fold inward between the rear legs123. The frame sides 102 a and 102 b will collapse toward one another.The seat cross-members will collapse laterally to accommodate.

As the coupler 850 slide down the front legs 121, the arm rests 172,which are pivotally connected to the couplers will fold down upon thecouplers and also slide down the front legs. The arm rests push thelinks 170 downward applying downward force upon the front ends 165 ofthe seat side links 164, which are also pivotally coupled to thecouplers 850. The seat bottom cross-member 136 collapses upward from therear ends of its links as do the seat side links. The seat back riserscollapse toward the frame extensions 128 and toward one another. Therear legs 123 collapse forward toward the couplers 850 as the couplersslide down the front legs. FIGS. 4-6 show the stroller 100 in thecollapsed configuration.

To unfold the stroller 100 to the in-use condition, the reverse stepsare applied, except that the strap 860 need not be utilized. The lowercross-brace can be pushed down to fully expand it, but the torsionspring in the hub will assist in unfolding the brace as well as otherThe handles 126 can be manipulated to push down on the stroller in orderto pivot the rear legs and front legs apart to further unfold thestroller. The handles can be pushed down until the latch slugs pop intothe latch holes in the joint assemblies. The upper brace 150 will becomestiff when the parts linearly align.

The under-seat basket access aspects of the invention are described indetail herein with respect to FIGS. 1-3, 52, and 53. The stroller 100disclosed herein provides a significant improvement for under-seatbasket access over previous known three-dimensionally collapsiblestrollers. As described previously, the rear stroller legs 123 and thelower cross-brace 160 are positioned such that the lower brace is at asignificantly low elevation. In this example, the lower cross-brace 160is collapsible, provides significant structural stability to thestroller 100 when in the in-use configuration, and yet is positionedfairly near the rear wheel assemblies 119. There is no X-shapedcross-member or other linkage in the stroller 100 that inhibits accessto the storage region or area 113 via an access opening 900 definedbetween the rear legs 123, the lower cross-brace 160, and the undersideof the seat 104 in this example. The transverse release strap 860 caneasily be moved out of the way if a user needs full access to thisregion. Alternatively, the release strap in another example need not beso loose that it hangs downward (see FIGS. 54 and 55). Instead, thestrap can be fairly taught so that it stretches nearly straight acrossthe width of the stroller.

As a result, a user can access the region 113 defined between the rearframe legs 123, the lower cross-brace 160, and the underside of the seat104. If desired, a storage surface can be provided suspended beneath andspaced from an underside of the stroller seat and can have fabric,semi-rigid, or rigid side walls that extend upward. The side wall orrear panel at the rear side of the stroller can be suspended by a fabricstrap that is easily separable from the rear panel of the basket wall.

In one example, the rear basket wall can be substantially verticallyoriented or can be aligned with the rear legs whether straight orcurved. In another example, the side walls of a storage space underneaththe seat can extend rearward beyond the rear legs to a desired distance.The fabric or other rear panel of the storage area can be angledrearwardly providing even greater access to the storage space underneaththe seat 104 because their is no inhibiting stroller frame structure inthe access opening. In such an example, the user need not lower the rearpanel in order to access the space. The opening for many instances wouldbe large enough simply because the rear wall extends rearward enough tocreate a significant access opening.

In one example, the access opening 900 can be the entire area above therear cross-brace 160, below the seat bottom 108, and between the rearlegs 123. In another example the access opening can have a bottomboundary defined by a rear wall or panel of the storage area 133, suchas a basket panel. In another example, the rear wall can be such that itcan be lowered out of the way to enlarge the access opening when needed.This is again because there is no inhibiting frame structure in the way.

FIGS. 52 and 53 illustrate another alternative embodiment of athree-dimensionally foldable stroller 910 wherein the stroller does notinclude a lower cross-brace 160 or the prior example. Instead, thestroller 910 can include a structure in the form of a multi-part bracingsystem 912, similar to those found in prior art three-dimensionallyfoldable strollers. However, in this example, the structure 912 can bepivotally mounted at the bottom outer corners 914 to the rear legs 123.The type of structure can vary and yet fall within the spirit and scopeof the present invention. For example, a conventional X-shapedcross-brace or a more complex cross-brace structure can be used.

The disclosed example utilizes a pair of vertically spaced apartcross-members 916 and 918, each pivotally collapsible in the middle andpivotally attached to the rear legs 123. The lower cross-member endsdefine the outer bottom corners 914 of the structure 912 in thisexample. A pair of transverse braces 920 extends one each from themiddle of the lower cross-member 916 to the opposite outer ends of theupper cross-member 918. These braces 920 are also pivotable about bothof their ends. The junction between the upper cross-member 918 and thetop ends of the braces 920 define outer upper corners 921 of thestructure 912.

The structure 912 also has a vertical strut 922 extending between themiddle of the two horizontal cross-members 916 and 918. A handle 924 isattached to the middle of the upper cross-member 918. When collapsingthe stroller 910, the handle is lifted to collapse the structure upwardand inward upon itself. In this example, the upper corners 921 of thestructure 912 are removably attached to the rear legs 123 as shown inFIGS. 52 and 53.

In the in-use condition, the upper corners 921 of the cross-bracestructure 912 are attached to the rear legs 123 to provide structuralstability to the stroller. These can remain attached as the stroller iscollapsed because the structure 912 can collapse in a scissor-likefashion. However, if a user wishes to have clear access to the storagespace beneath the seat 104, they can detach the upper corners 921 fromthe rear legs 123 and rotate the structure 912 about the bottom corners914 and out of the way for clear and full access to the storage spacebeneath the seat as shown in FIG. 53. The top corners 921 can havedetachable slots, pins, latches, or other devices 926 on the structure912 that are coupled to pins, brackets, latches, or other devices on therear legs 123, as long as the structure can be retain on the legs andselectively detached from the legs in this example.

In an alternative embodiment, the structure can be pivoted at its topend and rotated upward out of the way. And a further additionalembodiment, one side of the structure can be pivotally attached and theother side removably attached so that the structure can be rotatedeither left or right to clear the access opening of the storage space.

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of a three-dimensionally collapsiblestroller with all soft goods removed. This stroller frame structure issubstantially similar to that of the stroller 100 described herein. Theframe assembly components are clearly visible in this view. A foot rest970 extends across the crame structure and is mounted directly to thefront legs 121 in this example. In an alternate example, the foot restcould be mounted to the previously described brackets 764 and mounts 766on the additional part 762 carried on the front strut housings 702.Also, the upper cross-brace 150 is not present in this example. FIG. 55is a top view of the stroller of FIG. 54 and clearly shows the leverstrap 860, the seat bottom cross-member 136 and seat back risers 142 andthe cross-links 143 and 144.

Although certain stroller structures, features, subassemblies, andmethods have been described herein in accordance with the teachings ofthe present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments ofthe teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope ofpermissible equivalents.

1. A stroller comprising: a frame structure having a pair of laterallyspaced apart rear legs each with a lower end, the frame structure beingcollapsible in vertical, horizontal, and side-to-side lateral directionsfrom an in-use arrangement to a compact arrangement; a seat supported bythe frame structure and having a seat bottom; a storage area beneath theseat bottom when the stroller is in the in-use arrangement; an accessopening into the storage area when the stroller is in the in-usearrangement, the access opening bounded by the seat bottom, the rearlegs, and a lower boundary; and a frame cross-brace connected to therear legs when the stroller is in the in-use arrangement, thecross-brace is positionable entirely vertically at or below the lowerboundary of the access opening.
 2. A stroller according to claim 1,further comprising a storage receptacle within the storage area andhaving a rear panel with an upper edge that defines the lower boundaryof the access opening.
 3. A stroller according to claim 2, wherein theupper edge of the rear panel is positioned rearward of a position of therear legs and upward of a bottom panel of the storage receptacle.
 4. Astroller according to claim 1, further comprising a generally horizontalstorage surface positioned beneath and spaced from the seat bottom.
 5. Astroller according to claim 4, further comprising a storage receptaclewithin the storage area and having a rear panel with an upper edgepositioned upward relative to a rear edge of the storage surface.
 6. Astroller according to claim 5, wherein the rear panel and the upper edgecan be lowered to selectively lower the access opening lower boundary toincrease the size of the access opening.
 7. A stroller according toclaim 6, wherein the upper edge of the rear panel is also positionedrearward of the rear edge of the storage surface.
 8. A strolleraccording to claim 1, wherein the frame cross-brace is generallyhorizontally oriented when in the in-use arrangement and is connected tothe rear legs vertically at or below the lower boundary of the accessopening.
 9. A stroller according to claim 8, further comprising: a hubseparating the cross-brace into two sections that are pivotable relativeto one another about the hub to facilitate movement of the framestructure between the compact and the in-use arrangements.
 10. Astroller according to claim 1, wherein the frame cross-brace has twobrace components forming a collapsible X-shaped structure within atleast a portion of the access opening, a portion of the framecross-brace being pivotally connected to the frame structure and aportion of the frame cross-brace being removably connected to the framestructure so that the frame cross-brace can be pivotally moved out ofthe access opening.
 11. A stroller according to claim 10, wherein afirst end of each the brace components is connected to a respective oneof the rear legs at a pivot point, and a second end of each bracecomponent is removably connected to the opposite rear leg at a positionabove the pivot point of the first end of the other brace component. 12.A stroller collapsible in three dimensions, the stroller comprising: aframe structure with a pair of laterally spaced apart rear legs eachhaving a lower end, the frame structure being movable relative tohorizontal, vertical longitudinal, and vertical lateral reference planesbetween an in-use configuration and a compact configuration; a seathaving a seat bottom; a storage space beneath the seat bottom; and anaccess opening for accessing the storage space, the access openingpositioned between the rear legs and below the seat bottom, wherein theframe structure can be configured so that no part of the frame structureencroaches the access opening when the stroller is in the in-useconfiguration.
 13. A stroller according to claim 12, wherein the framestructure includes a lower cross-brace interconnecting the rear legsnear their respective lower ends, the cross-brace having two bracesections pivotally connected to one another at a center hub and havingonly two opposed ends, one connected to each of the rear legs.
 14. Astroller according to claim 13, wherein the lower cross-brace does notencroach upon the access opening upon moving the stroller to the in-useconfiguration.
 15. A stroller according to claim 12, further comprisinga rear cross-brace of the frame structure that interconnects the rearlegs.
 16. A stroller according to claim 15, wherein the rear cross-bracedoes not encroach upon the access opening upon moving the stroller tothe in-use configuration.
 17. A stroller according to claim 16, whereinthe access opening is the entire area below the seat bottom, between therear legs, and above the rear cross-brace.
 18. A stroller according toclaim 15, wherein the rear cross-brace encroaches upon the accessopening upon moving the stroller to the in-use configuration, but can bemoved so as not to encroach on the access opening while remaining atleast partly attached to the frame structure.
 19. A stroller accordingto claim 17, wherein the rear cross-brace has two brace componentspivotally connected to one another at a joint in a scissor-like fashion.20. A stroller collapsible in three dimensions, the stroller comprising:a frame structure that is movable between an in-use configuration and acompact configuration, each of an in-use frame structure length, height,and width being larger than a compact frame structure length, height,and width; a seat having a seat bottom; a storage receptacle positionedbeneath the seat bottom; a pair of laterally spaced apart rear framelegs each having a lower end; a transverse cross-brace interconnectingthe rear legs, the cross-brace having two sections pivotally connectedto one another at a center hub, the cross-brace having only two freeends, one end connected to the lower end of each of the rear legs, thecross-brace being the only part of the frame structure that extendsbetween and interconnects the rear legs at an elevation below the seatbottom when the stroller is in the in-use arrangement.